Superior court Judge Tom Anderson appears to be keeping his seat on the bench. The latest results posted on the Nevada County Elections website (1:10 a.m. Wednesday) show Anderson is at 61 percent with 11,584 votes to George Smyrnos 38 percent with 7,300 votes. Smyrnos who was heavily supported by law enforcement challenged Anderson after seeing a number of recent rulings in the sentencing of defendants.

In the District 1 Supervisor race Nate Beason is on his way to earning a third term in office with 59 percent or 2,842 votes to Sue McGuires 29 % at 1,402 votes. Al Bulf received 9 percent at 445 votes, and Louis Meyer who had actually withdrawn from the race but his name was still on the ballot received 84 votes. Beason, who says he received support from Republicans and Democrats thanked his many supporters.click to hear Nate Beason

Sue McGuire was at the Stonehouse awaiting results last night when we caught up with the candidate who thanks her supporters.

Ed Scofield appears to have the votes needed to keep his seat as Supervisor District 2 with little opposition from write in candidate Jed Biagi. Scofield garners 95 percent of the votes counted so far in the District 2 race, and at his Alta Sierra home last evening told KNCO he looks forward to tackling the issues.

A loud cheer was heard when the first results were received by Scofield’s supporters.

It looks like the Higgins Fire District’s measure B to generate additional funding for south county fire and emergency services may be in trouble. The latest ballot count shows 61 percent for and 38.8 percent against. Measure B requires a 2-thirds vote to pass. It would increase the current property tax of residents in the district by $100 dollars a year. Chief Good says if Measure B doesn’t pass they will have to close one of the three fire stations in the district and lay off 5 firefighters doubling response times to emergencies.

In the newly redrawn California District 1 for US House of Representatives Sam Aanestad was the top vote getter in Nevada County. But in the entire multi-county District 1 it is Doug LaMalfa a Republican and Democrat Jim Reed who appear to be the top vote-getters who will likely advance to the November election.

In the California State Assembly District 1 which includes all of Nevada County Brian Dahle is leading in votes at 34.2 percent. But the number 2 place is still tight between Democrat Robert Meacher with 26.5% and Republican Rick Bosetti. with 28.3%.

California voters are changing the state’s term limit law. Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 28 that allows state lawmakers to serve longer terms in either the Senate or Assembly. However, they may only serve a total of 12 years, instead of fourteen. Supporters of the measure say this will result in more experienced lawmakers and leaders.

The cigarette tax for cancer research Proposition 29 appears to be losing, with 50.8 percent voting no as listed on the Secretary of State’s website.